Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Harrison
When I arrived at Andrea’s apartment, I could see the disappointment in her eyes when she opened the door and didn’t see me holding a bouquet of yellow roses.
“Good evening,” I spoke. “I was thinking maybe we should skip dinner.” I ran the back of my hand down her cheek.
“I already made reservations for us at Giorgio’s.”
“In the Flatiron District? Why do you want to go there?”
“Because I like their food. That’s why,” she spoke with an attitude.
“Okay then. Let’s go.”
I could already tell this would be a long night.
When we arrived, we were immediately seated at a table for two. Silence filled the space between us as she wasn’t speaking to me, just like in the car the whole way here. Whatever. We’d have dinner, return to her place, and have sex. Then I’d have the conversation with her. I didn’t have the time or the patience to play games. If she didn’t want to talk, then fine. I really didn’t care. As I was looking over the menu, out of the corner of my eye, a woman sat down at the table next to us.
“Excuse me. I need to use the ladies’ room,” Andrea spoke as she stood up.
I glanced at the woman at the next table and noted how beautiful she was. She must have sensed me staring at her because she looked over and then quickly back at her menu. Her long wavy hair was brown with subtle blonde highlights throughout that cascaded over her shoulders. When she glanced over at me, I noted her piercing blue eyes. Damn, she was gorgeous, and she was alone. Just my luck, I had to be here with Andrea.
Andrea arrived back at the table and started in on me as soon as we placed our dinner order.
“Aren’t you even going to ask why I’m not speaking to you?”
“I assume it has something to do with the flowers you wanted me to bring.”
“Damn right it does. We’ve been out on what? Six dates so far, and you haven’t given me one thing. All we do is go to dinner and have sex.”
When she said that, the woman at the next table glanced over at us.
“Keep your voice down. I’m a very busy man, Andrea. You know that. I don’t have time for anything else. You knew what you were getting into when you agreed to go out with me.”
“No, Harrison. Actually, I didn’t. I know you’re busy, but for God's sake, you could at least buy some goddamn flowers. Shit. I slept with you on our first date. We’re on date number six, and that calls for flowers. Make me feel special instead of like I’m being used.”
Again, the beautiful woman at the next table glanced over.
“This is not the time or the place to discuss this,” I spoke through gritted teeth.
“When do you want to discuss it? When it suits you? I feel this relationship is one-sided.”
“What relationship?” I blurted out. “We aren’t in a relationship.”
“Are we ever going to be?” she asked.
“No, Andrea. We’re not.”
She took the napkin sitting on her lap and threw it on the table as she stood up from her chair.
“Then this is goodbye, Harrison. Never call me again.” She stormed out of the restaurant.
Damn it. I knew I should have insisted we skip dinner.
I glanced over at the woman at the table as she sat there sipping her wine and staring at me with an arch in her brow. I was in no mood.
“Did you enjoy the show?” I asked.
“Actually, I did.” She grinned.
I shook my head as I turned away from her. When the waitress walked over and set Andrea’s plate down, I had to tell her she had left but to please put the food on the bill, and I’d pay for it.
Adalyn
When I went up to the front desk of the Holiday Inn, they informed me that my room rate was $150 a night compared to the $96 a night that I was told.
“A hundred and fifty dollars a night for this?” I looked around. “That was not what I was told, and I even have the damn email to prove it!” I voiced loudly.
“I deeply apologize, Miss Banks, but you were seriously misinformed.”
“Well, I have it in writing, and you must honor it.”
“Actually, we don’t. The site you booked the room on has nothing to do with us. You need to contact them directly to see if they’ll reimburse you for the difference. I apologize. Would you still like your room?”
“Do I have a damn choice? My luggage will be arriving here!”
Ugh. I was so pissed off that I needed to get out and get some fresh air. After taking my carry-on bag to my room, I freshened up and asked the concierge where I could grab dinner. I wasn’t giving this hotel another dime of my money.
“Giorgio’s is a nice restaurant that’s popular in the area. It’s about an eleven-minute walk. Here. Let me give you a map, and I’ll outline the route for you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
I made my way to Giorgio’s, and even though they were crowded, I managed to get a table. The man and woman at the table next to me were fighting and provided quite the entertainment, something I needed after this shitstorm of a day.
The man named Harrison was smoking hot, and he reeked of wealth. I could tell by the expensive designer suit he was wearing. His thick brown hair was perfectly kept. Short on the sides with a medium-textured crop on top. Damn. Sexy. When he glanced at me, his emerald green eyes caught my attention quickly, as did his strong masculine jawline with the five o’clock shadow. As I listened to their argument, the one thing I noticed about him was his confidence. He knew exactly what he didn’t want and wasn’t afraid to make it known. I could tell he was the type of man who always got what he wanted. And I could also tell he wasn’t fazed when he hurt someone—typical man.
He sat there alone and ate his dinner while browsing on his phone. He didn’t like it when I told him I enjoyed the show. Oh well. At least I had some excitement for the night. As a waiter was walking by my table with a tray full of drinks, he stumbled, and the glasses went tumbling and fell off the tray and onto me, soaking me in alcohol. I let out a shriek, and the entire restaurant stopped their conversations, and all eyes diverted to me.
“Oh my gosh, miss. I’m so sorry,” the waiter spoke as he set down his tray, took the cloth that hung from his apron and began to dab my shirt.
“I got it,” I said with irritation as I grabbed the cloth from his hands.
“I’ll go get more towels. Again, I’m so sorry.”
I did everything in my power to avoid a meltdown as I heard the hot man snicker at the next table.
“Did you enjoy the show?” I cocked my head at him.
“Actually, I did.” A smirk crossed his lips.